Top taxman gets an earful

Accountants aren’t usually known for their musical theatre skills. But then there’s Andrew Colrain, Tasmania-based tax agent and erstwhile librettist, who yesterday serenaded tax commissioner
Michael D’Ascenzo
at a National Institute of Accountants event in Sydney.

Colrain performed a version of The Major-General’s Song from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, detailing D’Ascenzo’s achievements in the Australian Taxation Office’s top job.

The tax commissioner may have expected a slightly harsher reception given he spent a large part of his speech apologising for technical glitches in the introduction of the ATO’s new information technology system, which has resulted in thousands of refunds being delayed over the past few months.

Given the pitch-perfect ditty got a room full of accountants laughing, we thought it was worth sharing a few stanzas:

“I am the very model of a modern tax commissioner, I’m really quite articulate but also a good listener.

“I know the heads of business, and I quote the cases pivotal, from Rowe to Smith and Roberts, case in order categorical.

“I’m very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical, I understand big corporates though they’re sometimes problematical.

“I’ve written to their directors about their corporate governance, I hope that they take notice though I fear I may have Buckley’s chance.